In all honesty, everything you need to know is on the website. Granted, it’s difficult for a “virgin” – or even a well-seasoned Burner! – to figure out where it all is, sometimes. My friend Ethernight has put together a page she calls the Sane Navigation Project, with all the links you’re most likely to be looking for:

http://dusk.org/alissa/burningman-find/

Start with the Survival Guide page. If you don’t read anything else on burningman.com, READ THIS. You’ll get a hard-copy snail mailed to you, as well. And for anybody reading this who might be thinking “Well, hell, I’ve been out there before, why do I need to bother?” There have been minor, but IMPORTANT changes in the Survival Guide each of the last three years. You Want To Know This Stuff.

A few tips: Don’t wear any street clothes (ie, clothes you’d wear in public at home). Bring salty snacks. Avoid expectations. If you’re hanging with people you’re not into, go find some other people. Don’t hold back. Read the survival guide. Don’t try to get laid. Help build something, it really doesn’t matter what. Volunteer for something, like the greeters, or lamplighters. Don’t use your camera for your first couple of days. Ask everyone about everthing. Don’t drink with clowns. Allow people to fuck with your head, and play along. Don’t worry about sleeping. Avoid booze, there’s better stuff out there. Sleep in places that aren’t your camp. Make eye contact. Smile.